Abadeen has released the whole-floor penthouse crowning its recently completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences</a> development in Cremorne, bringing the near-300 sqm residence to market for the first time.

Occupying the entire top floor of the boutique Lower North Shore development, the penthouse includes 221 sqm of internal living and a 74 sqm wraparound terrace, with a prized north-facing aspect taking in views across Middle Harbour.

The residence has been completed and fully furnished following a collaboration between Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown and internationally recognised interior designer Jack Freeman, Founder and Managing Director of FREEMAN &amp; CO.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and Freeman approached the penthouse as a finished home, sourcing furniture, artwork, lighting and objects from Australia and overseas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378718]

Pieces from Parisian design house Pierre Augustin Rose sit alongside contemporary artworks and bespoke lighting, with Freeman drawing on recent visits to PAD Paris and Salone del Mobile Milano for the final collection.

Brown said the aim was to create a penthouse that felt more like a large-scale private home than a traditional apartment.

"The experience begins the moment the lift doors open. You're welcomed into an elegant dining room before the home opens into an extraordinary living space framed by sun-drenched harbour views.

"Every time someone walks through the front door they pause. It's not just the view, it's the incredible sense of space, the warmth created by the northern sunlight that fills the interiors, and the way every room connects so effortlessly.

"It has all the proportions of a luxury home, while delivering the effortless lifestyle and personalised experience of living in a world-class six-star hotel, combined with the simplicity and convenience of apartment living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378713]

A secure lift provides exclusive access to the penthouse level, opening to a dedicated arrival foyer and dining area before the residence expands into its main living and entertaining spaces.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing runs across the northern side of the home, connecting the interiors with the terrace and Middle Harbour outlook.

The penthouse also features a fireplace and substantial chef's kitchen, while the wraparound terrace has been designed to accommodate both everyday outdoor living and larger-scale entertaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378720]

Freeman said the interiors had been deliberately kept restrained to complement the scale, natural light and outlook already established by the architecture.

"The penthouse is a serene study in quiet luxury," Freeman said.

"The interior pairs soft, sculptural forms with warm timber, pale stone and a restrained neutral palette. Curated artwork and metallic accents add depth, while abundant natural light creates a calm, effortlessly refined atmosphere. In my world, less is always more."

Freeman said the approach was centred around collecting individual pieces rather than simply decorating the apartment.

"Every material, every object and every piece of furniture has been curated with intention. I am a true believer in collecting versus decorating.

"The architecture already provided extraordinary natural light, remarkable volume and an uninterrupted connection to Middle Harbour. Our role was to complement those qualities with unique one-of-a-kind pieces of fine art and collectible design sourced from recent travels around the world."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378694]

Among the collection are solid bronze sculptures by Lorenzo Quinn, alongside a curated crystalware collection and pieces sourced from international design fairs.

Park Residences sits opposite Cammeray Golf Club, Cammeray Croquet Club and Grand Slam Tennis Cammeray, around 300 metres from Neutral Bay Village and its established collection of restaurants, cafés and retail.

Brown said the combination of a whole-floor floorplan, northern aspect and proximity to Neutral Bay was becoming increasingly difficult to find on the Lower North Shore.

"Completed whole-floor penthouses with a sun-drenched north-facing aspect and sweeping Middle Harbour views are exceptionally rare," Brown said.

"Add a quiet position opposite golf, croquet and tennis facilities, a level walk to Neutral Bay Village and only minutes to the CBD, and you have a lifestyle that's incredibly difficult to replicate.

"This is a home that offers the privacy and generosity of a luxury residence together with the convenience of one of Sydney's best-connected harbourside locations."

The penthouse will be exclusively marketed by SRM Residential.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=114246]

Joel Robinson

Abadeen unveils penthouse at Park Residences in Cremorne

New Brisbane developer Dalcott has unveiled Marrone, the first of three residential projects it is planning in and around Browning Street in South Brisbane.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marrone-south-brisbane-39-browning-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">Marrone</a> will comprise 97 predominantly two- and three-bedroom apartments, with larger residences aimed squarely at the owner-occupier market.

The project will sit in a quiet pocket of South Brisbane between South Bank and West End, close to the restaurants, cultural attractions and riverfront amenity that have driven the suburb's continued transformation.

Dalcott is targeting buyers looking for more space and amenity than has traditionally been offered in the inner-city apartment market, particularly downsizers and professionals wanting to remain close to the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149951 project_image_fid=377072]

Resident facilities will be concentrated around an extensive rooftop amenity offering, including a swimming pool, spa, infrared sauna, warm and cold magnesium plunge pools, private lounge, dining room and outdoor entertaining areas.

Dalcott Managing Director Lachlan Cottee said South Brisbane's combination of lifestyle, connectivity and established character had been central to the approach to Marrone.

“South Brisbane offers a combination of lifestyle, connectivity and character that’s difficult to replicate elsewhere in Brisbane,” Cottee said.

“Our focus has been on creating homes that feel connected to that environment while providing the level of design, functionality and quality that today's owner-occupiers expect.”

The residences will feature an expressive material palette. Italian Calacatta Viola marble, known for its deep burgundy veining, will be paired with aged brass tapware, Chestnut engineered timber flooring and Tuscan Oak joinery.

<img alt="Marrone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8d833da-3b30-496a-ae30-07bdff371b50" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%2010.52.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=P6DAgOfaQzIXljKKK5j3e5NhWtrHIu9G" />

Bathrooms will feature Nara Japanese ceramics and glass bricks, while clay, walnut and brass lighting will be used throughout the apartments.

Dalcott has appointed Realm Projects, led by Managing Director Shane Foley, to handle sales and marketing following previous sold-out collaborations between the groups.

Foley said the Brisbane apartment buyer had become increasingly focused on the quality of the home itself rather than simply securing an inner-city address.

“We expect to see strong demand from buyers who still want all the advantages of inner-city living but aren’t prepared to compromise on the quality of their home,” Foley said.

“Many will be downsizers looking to leave behind the maintenance of a traditional family home without giving up the space they enjoy, while others are likely to be professionals wanting a residence that reflects the way they live today.”

“Marrone responds directly to that demand, with generous floorplans, exceptional resident amenity and a location that places some of Brisbane’s best dining, entertainment and cultural attractions within walking distance.”

<img alt="Marrone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="61f7b22f-899e-4c0f-940a-7d3ab1bfb93a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%2010.52.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=PvN1JYxBgUpyCB7efKo52WGdSDs9nmim" />

Marrone will be the first project delivered as part of Dalcott's broader investment in the precinct.

It will be followed by La Terra, a boutique project comprising penthouse-style, single-level apartments on a northeast corner site with extensive resident amenity and city views.

Cottee said Marrone represented the first stage of the group's longer-term plans for the area.

Dalcott was established in 2025 by Lachlan Cottee and Ben Dalgliesh, combining development and construction capability under an integrated model and focusing on architecturally considered residential projects.

Marrone will initially be offered through a pre-release registration campaign ahead of its broader public launch.

Dalcott targets owner-occupiers with South Brisbane debut Marrone

Parnell Developments is the latest to seek significant uplift through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority on a Strathfield site previously approved for a much smaller apartment development.

Parnell has sought approval for a 32-storey mixed use tower across&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/7-lyons-street-strathfield-nsw-2135">3-7 Lyons Street and 18 Parnell Street</a>, a&nbsp;1,857 sqm site around 400 metres from Strathfield Station. The building would yield 160 apartments, 15 per cent of which will be dedicated affordable as per the government mandate for buildings seeking additional uplift.

Approved previously was a nine-storey building back in 2022 with just over 30 apartments. That approval came prior to the project being&nbsp;progressively reconsidered as planning policy shifted toward greater density around transport hubs.

<img alt="Strathfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5af5281-a643-4eb2-b8c4-0081b59c04c7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.16.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=37bd3mI7rHNpThOV_75VO8xsGFwWOi1u" />

Turner has designed the latest building that would replace&nbsp;existing detached homes across the four lots.

The apartment mix comprises 22 one-bedroom apartments, 107 two-bedroom and two-bedroom-plus configurations, and 31 apartments with three or more bedrooms. The scheme also includes 203 car spaces across six basement levels and 58 bicycle spaces.

The proposal has been designed around a three-storey podium addressing Lyons Street, with the tower rising above and stepping toward its upper levels.

Turner said the podium was deliberately scaled to respond to the existing street, while the taller element has been designed as part of the emerging skyline anticipated around Strathfield Town Centre and the wider Homebush transport-oriented development precinct.

The Lyons Street frontage would have a more active, pedestrian-focused character, incorporating the commercial tenancy, landscaping and a brick-framed podium with an awning.

<img alt="Strathfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14b20874-b8c3-4ac7-bc03-92be9a69fb78" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.17.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=av.9TxtqIRTC6v3PkSuu1rL9rreWoe2h" />

Parnell Street, which faces the railway corridor, has been given a different architectural treatment, with double-height breeze blocks, landscaping and communal areas used to soften the interface with the rail infrastructure.

The tower itself uses curved and recessed facade elements, with wave-like indentations across the northern elevation breaking the building into three vertical forms.

A palette of grey concrete, brick and breeze blocks is complemented by clay and terracotta accents, while the upper tower adopts a lighter expression through articulated slab edges, vertical fins and recessed glazing.

Residents would have access to 467 sqm of communal open space spread across three levels. The ground floor would accommodate the more active resident areas, including barbecue and group gathering spaces and an internal communal room capable of being used for working from home.

A more passive viewing deck is proposed at level three, overlooking the ground-level landscaping and neighbouring tennis courts, while a rooftop "sunset deck" at level 30 would provide another social and relaxation space.

<img alt="Parnell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c3dce401-a80f-4682-8471-4caa01180880" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.17.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Xyo8JVqbOhSJXNy6Ih.1cHL.O6i0bGR." />

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Strathfield has been earmarked for substantial change through the Strathfield Town Centre planning work and the nearby Homebush TOD precinct.

Turner's report says the project has been designed to act as a transition between the existing low and mid-rise development surrounding the site and the taller built form expected to emerge across the town centre.

The proposal is being assessed as State Significant Development under the HDA pathway, alongside the concurrent request to amend the Burwood Local Environmental Plan.

First look: New apartment tower pitched for Strathfield Town Centre precinct

An $18 million penthouse has hit the market in Main Beach as construction tops out on La Mer, the $155 million apartment development rising just metres from the beach.

Spanning around 600 sqm across the top two levels of the 29-storey tower on Main Beach Parade, the four-bedroom penthouse is one of the latest eight-figure residences to test the upper end of the Gold Coast apartment market.

Its launch comes amid continued activity at the very top of the market, following the $30 million off-the-plan sale of a Burleigh Heads penthouse earlier this year, which surpassed the Gold Coast's previous $24 million apartment record set in 2023.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-mer-main-beach-3580-main-beach-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">La Mer penthouse</a> has been designed as a private residence in the sky, with 360-degree views spanning the ocean, Broadwater, hinterland and Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378731]

All four bedrooms have ensuites, while the ocean-facing master retreat occupies around half of the upper level and includes its own lounge, private balcony, two walk-in wardrobes and an oversized ensuite with a freestanding stone bath positioned to take in the views.

The residence also features a kitchen designed to accommodate a private chef, a 3.6-metre island bench, expansive butler's pantry, wine cellar and integrated bar.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378732]

A rooftop pool and substantial outdoor entertaining area with its own kitchen sit above the residence, while a grand staircase connects the two internal levels. The penthouse also has its own express lift.

OTP Group Director James Elliott, who is marketing La Mer, said the penthouse was expected to appeal to high-net-worth buyers seeking either a permanent Main Beach residence or Gold Coast holiday home.

“The La Mer penthouse represents exceptional value, considering its quality design, size, privacy and location, not to mention the 360-degree views capturing the beach and Gold Coast Broadwater,” Elliott said.

“We’re anticipating interest from high-net-worth individuals and couples seeking a residence or holiday home in the sought-after village enclave of Main Beach, taking advantage of the unprecedented growth underway in the area and neighbouring The Spit.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378736]

La Mer is being developed by developer-builder ODUS and Nazero, in partnership with funder Metrics Credit Partners.

ODUS Director Byron Sakha said topping out the tower had provided the opportunity to release the project's most significant residence.

“We’ve worked with internationally-recognised studio Sici Design on the penthouse interiors, with a focus on ensuring it isn’t luxury for luxury’s sake. Every element has been thoughtfully designed to enhance quality of life for those who call it home,” Sakha said.

“The views are the hero of virtually every space, but we’ve given equal attention to the fittings and finishes, so every detail exudes elegance and refinement.”

Sici Design Founder and Director Maria Papadopoulos said the extensive views became an integral part of the interior design rather than simply something the residence was designed around.

“The views weren't something we designed around, they became part of the design itself, with the true luxury of La Mer in its feeling of peace, calm and wellbeing,” Papadopoulos said.

“Luxury isn't defined by how something looks, but how it makes you feel, and we believe a luxurious home should be beautiful to live in, not stressful to maintain.”

The interiors combine Austral Dream Dolomite natural stone and travertine with timber flooring and a restrained coastal palette.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378734]

Designed by Plus Studio, La Mer is one of the more boutique additions to the rapidly changing Main Beach apartment market.

The tower comprises just 24 full-floor, three-bedroom plus multipurpose room apartments below the two-level penthouse, giving the project a considerably lower density than many of the larger towers being developed across the Gold Coast.

Residents will have access to a pool and spa, gym, sauna, barbecue facilities, private sun lounges, yoga lawn and outdoor beach shower.

The penthouse has been released as part of the final collection of residences at La Mer, with remaining apartments priced from $4.3 million.

Construction is expected to complete later this year, with a fully furnished display apartment now open on level four.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95606]

ODUS releases $18 million penthouse crowning La Mer Main Beach

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a> is preparing to commence construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> this October, marking the next milestone for the Melbourne CBD development and its higher-end Eliza Collection.

Spanning levels 44 to 68 of the 68-storey <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>-designed tower, the Eliza Collection has been conceived as a lower-density offering within the broader development, with only five apartments on each floor, dedicated lift access and a collection of resident spaces reserved exclusively for Eliza Collection residents.

The Eliza Collection forms part of Far East Consortium's broader move toward larger-format residences at 640 Bourke Street, where the number of apartments was reduced from earlier plans as apartment sizes increased.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365685]

"What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Far East Consortium Director of Sales and Marketing Lauren Sheldon said.

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang said the design process provided an opportunity to create more generous floorplans.

"We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=368869]

That thinking carries through to the Eliza Collection, where the residences have been designed around the space and functionality associated with a larger home, but positioned high above the centre of Melbourne.

Kitchens are equipped with Gaggenau appliances, a butler's pantry, temperature-controlled wine cabinet and sculptural pendant lighting, while engineered timber flooring, stone and porcelain finishes and custom cabinetry feature throughout the broader interiors.

Privacy and security are another point of distinction. Eliza Collection residents have dedicated lift access, while 640 Bourke Street will provide concierge services and secure resident parking. Short-stay accommodation, including Airbnb, will not be permitted within the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

Eliza Collection residents will also have exclusive access to selected amenity spaces across levels one and three of the restored Eliza Tinsley building. These include the Salon with grand piano, an art therapy room, private dining rooms and treatment rooms.

They sit within more than 3,000 sqm of amenity planned across 640 Bourke Street, alongside facilities including a pool, gym, whisky lounge and further social and wellness spaces.

The Eliza Tinsley building itself is central to the wider project's identity. Rather than treating the existing Eliza Tinsley façade as a separate element, Rothelowman used it as a starting point for the architecture of the new tower, with the historic building to accommodate the project's gallery and lobby.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=368872]

The tower will rise behind the retained heritage building at 640 Bourke Street, placing residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and the Docklands waterfront.

With construction scheduled to begin in October, Far East Consortium has established an onsite display gallery at 640 Bourke Street, including fully built apartments that allow the project's layouts, materials and finishes to be inspected at full scale.

A fully built Eliza Collection apartment is also available to view at the display suite by appointment ahead of the planned October construction commencement.

Eligible purchasers who buy before construction commences can secure the full available off-the-plan stamp duty savings, subject to eligibility and applicable conditions.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Far East Consortium brings Eliza Collection to 640 Bourke Street ahead of October construction start

Tech Cities

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Cities will be driving globalisation and innovation in the emerging world order.
France recently appointed a tech ambassador to the Silicon Valley. French President Emmanuel Macron named David Martinon as “<a href="https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/digital-diplomacy/events/article/digital-affairs-appointment-of-an-ambassador-22-11-17" target="_blank">ambassador for digital affairs</a>”, with jurisdiction over the digital issues that the foreign affairs ministry deals with. This includes digital governance, international negotiations and support for digital companies’ export operations.
The appointment is part of France’s <a href="https://au.ambafrance.org/France-s-international-digital-strategy" target="_blank">international digital strategy</a>, which is becoming a focus of its foreign policy. And France isn’t alone in doing this.
In early 2017, Denmark <a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/article/casper-klynge-first-ever-silicon-valley-tech-ambassador" target="_blank">appointed</a> a <a href="http://techamb.um.dk/en/" target="_blank">“TechPlomacy” ambassador</a> to the tech industry. <a href="https://twitter.com/DKTechAmb" target="_blank">Casper Klynge</a> is possibly the first-ever envoy to be dispatched to Silicon Valley with a clear mandate to build better relationships with major technology firms.
In an <a href="http://politiken.dk/udland/art5806849/Danmark-f%C3%A5r-som-det-f%C3%B8rste-land-i-verden-en-digital-ambassad%C3%B8r" target="_blank">interview</a> with Danish newspaper Politiken, Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said: Big companies affect Denmark just as much as entire countries.
He isn’t wrong. According to geopolitical strategist <a href="https://www.paragkhanna.com/" target="_blank">Parag Khanna</a>, the world’s top tech companies are <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/03/15/these-25-companies-are-more-powerful-than-many-countries-multinational-corporate-wealth-power/" target="_blank">achieving more international influence</a> and economic power than dozens of nations put together. In 2016, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/chart-us-companies-with-largest-cash-reserves-2017-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank">cash that Apple had on hand</a> exceeded the gross domestic product (GDP) of <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/03/15/these-25-companies-are-more-powerful-than-many-countries-multinational-corporate-wealth-power/" target="_blank">two-thirds of the world’s countries</a>.
Some of these global players are also influential policy actors in their own right. In 2016, <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/" target="_blank">Foreign Policy</a> presented its <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/11/17/watch-fps-diplomat-of-the-year-awards/" target="_blank">Diplomat of the Year Award</a> to Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google parent company Alphabet Inc. The award was in recognition of Google’s contributions to international relations through empowering citizens globally.
<h2>What’s different about TechPlomacy?</h2>
The recent ambassadorial appointments signify not only the important socio-economic and political roles of technology, but also how diplomacy is evolving and adapting to the disruptive changes in our societies.
These developments mark the prominence of tech-cities on the global scene. Nation states are no longer the only players in international affairs; cities are also taking centre stage.
As opposed to lobbying governments in the world’s capitals, the new breed of diplomats will target tech-cities with multi-trillion-dollar technology sectors. They will also rub shoulders and nurture a direct dialogue with organisations that have gigantic economic impacts. In 2016, for example, Google helped to <a href="https://economicimpact.google.com/reports/2016/ei-report-2016-ca.pdf" target="_blank">inject US$222 billion in economic activity</a> in the US alone.
The so-called “Google ambassadors” won’t be targeting Silicon Valley only. The <a href="http://techamb.um.dk/" target="_blank">Office of Denmark’s Tech Ambassador</a> has a team with physical presence across three time zones in North America, Europe and Asia. It will also connect with tech hubs around the world.
As part of an interconnected planet, these tech hubs will increasingly play a more active role in the global economy. Decision-makers are starting to recognise the imperative to establish good relationships and understand the tech giants’ policies and agendas.
<h2>Cities as autonomous diplomatic units</h2>
The rise of cities as “<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/04/around-the-world-mayors-take-charge/275335/" target="_blank">autonomous diplomatic units</a>” may be a defining feature of the 21st century.
Already, just <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2010/08/06/beyond-city-limits/" target="_blank">100 cities account for 30% of the world’s economy</a> and almost all its innovation. New York and London, together, represent <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2010/08/06/beyond-city-limits/" target="_blank">40% of global market capitalisation</a>. According to the <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/overview" target="_blank">McKinsey Global Institute</a>, the <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/urbanization/urban-world-mapping-the-economic-power-of-cities" target="_blank">top 600 cities generate 60% of global GDP</a> and are projected to be home to 25% of the world’s population by 2025.
McKinsey expects that 136 new cities will make it into the top 600 by 2025. All these new cities are from the developing world – 100 of them from China alone.
These <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/urbanization/when-cities-rule-the-world" target="_blank">global cities appear likely to dominate</a> the 21st century. They will become magnets for economic activity and engines of globalisation. <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2010/08/06/beyond-city-limits/">Khanna</a> argues:
<blockquote>
… [C]ities rather than states or nations are becoming the islands of governance on which the future world order will be built.
</blockquote>
He also suggests that <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/parag_khanna_how_megacities_are_changing_the_map_of_the_world/transcript">connectivity</a> through an expanding matrix of infrastructure (64 million kilometres of roads, 4 million kilometres of railways and 1 million kilometres of internet cables) will far outweigh the importance of 500,000 kilometres of international borders.
<h2>Still more questions than answers</h2>
As more cities assert their leadership on the world stage, new mechanisms and networks (e.g. <a href="http://www.c40.org/" target="_blank">C40 Cities)</a> could emerge. That could signal a new generation of diplomacy that relates and engages with cities rather than bilateral collaboration between nations.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/201833/original/file-20180114-101498-4zjkdk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group connects more than 90 of the world’s major cities. The Independent UK
Although these new diplomatic outposts have generated some <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/national-security/article159128749" target="_blank">profound interest</a>, questions remain.
Will this era of tech diplomacy create collaborative ways to develop and achieve foreign policy priorities? Will it increasingly become a unifying global priority?
Do these appointments signify a transformation in international relationships? Will big tech companies also develop diplomatic capacities?
And will we witness the emergence of a post-national ideology of <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://press.princeton.edu/titles/9544" target="_blank">civic-ism</a>, whereby people’s <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-a-bell/civicism-cities-nationalism_b_1138929" target="_blank">loyalty to the city</a> surpasses that to a nation?
<h2>What comes next?</h2>
Not everyone will be excited by these appointments. Many would downplay their significance. Others would argue that tech companies have been engaged globally for years, and that they do this anyway as part of their “business as usual” activities.
Whether you embrace or object to it, a new world order is emerging around cities and their economies, rather than nations and their borders. These cities may ultimately chart pathways to their own sovereign diplomacy and formulate their own codes of conduct.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/89959/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">It is anyone’s guess whether the future will bear any resemblance to TechPlomacy or something else we haven’t yet imagined. The significance of these appointments will become clearer as the envoys go to work and we begin to understand the possibilities.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hussein-dia-110689" target="_blank">Hussein Dia</a>, Associate Professor, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767" target="_blank">Swinburne University of Technology</a>
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tech-diplomacy-cities-drive-a-new-era-of-digital-policy-and-innovation-89959" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Cities drive a new era of digital policy and innovation

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Technology firms have become a key driver of Sydney CBD office demand, according to recent research by property firm Cushman &amp; Wakefield.
Macquarie Park, previously Sydney’s main tech hub, has been displaced by the CBD because of the growth in cloud computing, technological innovation in a range of service industries and a desire to attract and retain the best talent to offices which are strongly serviced by public transport and close to retail precincts, says Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s Tech and the city report.
In fact, tech is expected to take over from the finance and insurance sector as the key driver of CBD office demand in Sydney. Demand from tech companies for CBD space is expected to grow more than three times that of the finance and insurance sector over the next five years, it says. 
“Large tech firms taking up residence in Martin Place over the past few years has been a well told story for the Sydney CBD office market. However, rise of tech firms in the CBD has been much broader based with many smaller firms taking up space across the CBD,” it says.
Over the past few years Apple, Dropbox and LinkedIn have taken up office space in Martin Place, but the expansion of tech firms in the CBD has been much broader based. 
Cushman &amp; Wakefield Research identified around 40 leases signed by tech companies over the past 12 months across the CBD, in building grades ranging from Premium to C. Lease size varied considerably also with space requirements ranging from 100 sq m to over 17,000 sq m. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech-main.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/07/31/Tech-main.jpg" alt="">
The range of tech tenants that have taken up space highlights the diversity of the sector. While LinkedIn is known for social media, Amazon for e-commerce and Apple for products such as phones, tablets and computers, tech is extending its reach into a variety of service sectors. For example, tech tenants that have recently leased space in the CBD have areas of speciality including labour hire; education; travel; expense management; digital forensics; online security; trading and portfolio management. 
The largest overall lease, recently completed by Cushman &amp; Wakefield, is the +17,000 sq m Sydney Startup Hub at Wynyard Green which is expected to open its doors in Q4 2017. While not specifically a tech tenant, the Startup Hub is a NSW Government initiative to create a startup and innovation centre and most of the residents are likely to be tech orientated. 
Service sector and tech driving Sydney CBD office demand 
Office demand in the Sydney CBD has traditionally been driven by the ups and downs of financial markets. With around 30% of the CBD workforce employed in the Finance and Insurance sector, changes in CBD office demand have historically been correlated with share market performance. However, in recent years the relationship has broken down with relatively strong demand for office space despite soft share market performance. 
But while the finance sector accounts for a large part of the CBD workforce, an even larger percentage, about 40%, are employed in other service sectors such as Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Admin and Support, Real Estate and Information Media and Telecommunications. These sectors are currently doing well, as indicated by the NAB Business Conditions Survey (Figure 2), which is near a 10 year high and is helping to drive relatively strong employment growth (Figure 3). 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech2.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech2.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech3.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech3.png" alt="">
Why do tech tenants now favour the CBD? 
For many years, Sydney’s tech hub was Macquarie Park. This was driven by a range of factors such as a desire to create a Silicon Valley/Stamford University type research and innovation relationship with Macquarie University, campus style office accommodation and access to warehousing space for inventory. 
However, software applications are now usually supplied over the web rather than on disks and with people the major asset of tech firms, management are keen to establish a work environment to attract and retain the best talent. 
The Cushman &amp; Wakefield 2017 office leasing: Trends and Outlook survey noted that proximity to public transport and retail amenities were primary considerations for tenants. With many tech firms operating globally on a 24/7 basis, the CBD offers the best access to Sydney’s transport network and excellent retail amenities. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech4.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech4.png" alt="">
Future growth 
With technology being increasingly integrated into all aspects of our lives, employment growth and demand for office space associated with the tech sector is likely to continue to grow. 
Deloitte Access Economics has forecast that Sydney CBD employment growth in the two sectors primarily associated with technology, i.e. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services and Information Technology and Telecommunications, is forecast to average 2.5% pa over the next five years, compared to 0.8% pa for the Finance and Insurance sector (Figure 5).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech5.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/07/31/Tech5.png" alt="">
This equates approximately to an additional 12,000 ‘Tech Service’ jobs compared to about 3,750 finance roles or, at 8 sq m per person, a requirement for about 96,000 sq m of Tech Service space compared to 30,000 sq m finance space. However, it should be noted Finance and Insurance sector roles are increasingly tech related as the industry becomes more automated. 
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Tech companies to drive Sydney CBD office tenancy: Cushman & Wakefield

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SPONSORED POST
Savills has recently unveiled the findings of its 2017 Tech Cities research programme, which aims to understand the diverse factors that make places good locations for the tech sector. 
The Tech Cities programme currently measures 22 global centres against more than 100 individual metrics, but for the first time in 2017 Tech Cities has also considered how each city performs on buzz and wellness.
Cities attract young tech talent who increasingly want to live in dynamic, healthy neighbourhoods within walking or cycling distance of the office. The Tech Cities ‘buzz and wellness index’ specifically looks to capture these qualities and identify the liveable cities that deliver what this demographic desires by measuring ‘buzz’ (i.e. nightlife, entertainment and cultural offer), ‘wellness’ (i.e. pollution levels, quality of parks, healthcare, commuting times) and the cost of living (excluding property costs) in each location. 
These new metrics have seen some changes to the cities included in the programme, with Melbourne appearing for the first time as the top tech city in Australia. When looking specifically at buzz and wellness, Melbourne ranks 16th on city buzz, 13th on cost of living and 3rd for wellness.
The trade-off between buzz and wellness
Cities with high buzz scores tend to have great bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, music venues and museums, and radiate excitement and creativity. 
But buzzy cities can have downsides: being popular on a world stage tends to lead to high property and living costs, and can lead to overcrowding and congestion. This could lead to younger generations of talent increasingly looking for something different as more young workers aim to strike a better balance between living in fun, energetic cities and maintaining their physical and mental health. Buzz alone may not be enough to attract these potential workers to a city, many of whom are either already employed or are looking to start careers in tech and its related industries.
That’s why it’s also important to look at wellness in a city - low crime and pollution rates, quality parks and public spaces, and low congestion. Copenhagen, Stockholm and Melbourne are at the top of this list.
While there’s often a trade-off between ‘buzz’ and ‘wellness’, Amsterdam and Toronto balance the two. Occupiers looking to attract the new generation of talent therefore need to pay close attention to such factors when looking for new locations
Looking at the future, we suspect it is these cities which can balance both factors (representing shorter commutes, easier access to amenities and a better work/life balance), that will move up the rankings in future iterations of Tech Cities.
City Buzz and Wellness index
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/08/Buzz-and-wellness-Index-2017.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/05/08/Buzz-and-wellness-Index-2017.jpg" alt=""> 
City Buzz + Wellness + Cost of Living index*
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/08/City-buzz-wellness-index-separate-2017.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/05/08/City-buzz-wellness-index-separate-2017.jpg" alt="">
*Each of the three components is weighted then averaged together to get the final index score.
Source: Savills World Research, Tech Cities 2017. 
More Information
<a href="https://www.savills.co.uk/tech-cities" target="_blank">Savills Tech Cities</a> 2017 programme aims to understand the diverse factors that make places a good location choice for the tech sector; examining 22 global centres which have thriving and growing tech industries, home grown start-ups and incubators, and are at the top of global shopping lists for tech companies looking for space in which to locate. 
Savills is a leading global real estate service provider offering the full spectrum of services from strategic advice to managing assets and projects and transacting deals. To learn more about Savills, visit <a href="https://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">savills.com.au</a>.
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